Description
A delightful and elegant dessert, the White Forest Trifle combines layers of vanilla sponge cake, cherry filling, custard cream, and whipped cream, topped with chocolate shavings and cherries.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 loaf (300 g) vanilla sponge cake or pound cake, cut into cubes
- 2 tbsp Kirsch (cherry liqueur) or cherry syrup (optional)
- 2 cups (300 g) pitted cherries (fresh or canned)
- ½ cup (100 g) sugar
- 1 tbsp cornstarch
- 2 tbsp water
- 1 tsp lemon juice
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 2 cups (480 ml) whole milk
- ½ cup (120 ml) heavy cream
- 4 large egg yolks
- ⅓ cup (70 g) granulated sugar
- 2 tbsp cornstarch
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 tbsp butter
- 1½ cups (360 ml) heavy whipping cream
- 3 tbsp powdered sugar
- ½ tsp vanilla extract
- Whole cherries (fresh or glazed)
- White and dark chocolate shavings
- Optional: toasted almond flakes
Instructions
- Make the Cherry Filling: In a saucepan, combine cherries, sugar, and lemon juice. In a small bowl, mix cornstarch and water, then pour into the saucepan. Cook over medium heat until thickened and glossy (5–7 minutes). Stir in vanilla extract and let cool completely.
- Prepare the Custard Cream: Heat milk and cream in a saucepan until steaming (don’t boil). In a bowl, whisk together egg yolks, sugar, and cornstarch until smooth. Slowly pour the hot milk into the yolk mixture while whisking constantly. Return to saucepan and cook over medium heat, stirring until thickened (5 minutes). Remove from heat, stir in butter and vanilla extract, then let cool.
- Make the Whipped Cream: Beat cold heavy cream, powdered sugar, and vanilla until soft peaks form. Keep chilled until ready to use.
- Assemble the Trifle: In a large glass trifle dish or dessert bowl, add a layer of sponge cake cubes. Drizzle lightly with Kirsch or cherry syrup. Spoon over a layer of cherry filling, then a layer of custard cream. Repeat the layers until the dish is full (usually 2–3 layers). Finish with whipped cream on top.
- Decorate: Top with whole cherries, chocolate shavings, and almond flakes for texture and elegance. Chill for at least 4 hours before serving to allow flavors to meld beautifully.
Notes
- For a non-alcoholic version, use cherry syrup instead of Kirsch.
- Chill the trifle for optimal flavor and texture.
- Feel free to customize the decoration with your favorite toppings.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Layering
- Cuisine: European
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 25g
- Sodium: 50mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 40g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 5g
- Cholesterol: 150mg